Pin distributing and spotting mechanism for bowling pin spotting machines



Oct. 23, 1956 J ZUERCHER 2,767,984 f PIN D ISTRIBUTI NG AND SPOTTINGMECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTI NG MACHINES Filed Aug. 11, 1959 7sheets-S11E91; 1

I NVENTOR 'JQHN ZUERCHER ATTORNEY Oct. 23, 1956 J J. ZUERCHER 2,767,984PIN DISTRIBUTING AND SPOTTING "MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTINGMACHINES Filed Aug. 11, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR JOHN ZUERCHER g yawmm ATTORN Oct 23, 1956 UERCHER 2,767,984

J. Z PIN DISTRIBUTING AND SPOTTING MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTINGMACHINES Filed Aug. ll. 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 3

I 122 f 24 '12 73 176[ l 13o '11 116 726 134 14 146 108 132 138 i H; r

1" I f V I 14 46 542 104 13 6 g '4 1 2 10 6 0 2 2 0 g g FIG. 4 ((158FIG.5 '1

. INVENTOR v JOHN ZUERCHER 28o Y r ATTORNEY? O 1956 UERCHER 2,767,984

J. Z Y PIN DISTRIBUTING AND SPOTTING MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTINGMACHINES Flled Aug. 11, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 I INVENTOR JOHN ZUERCHERBY 0 M 4 ATTORN Y Oct. 23, 1956 J. ZUERCHER 2,767,984

PIN DISTRIBUTING AND SPOTTING MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTINGMACHINES K 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 I Filed Aug. 11, 1950 ATTORN EY Oct. 23,1956 J. ZUERCHER 2,767,984

PIN DISTRIBUTING AND SPOTTING MECHANISM FOR BOWLING FIN SPOTTINGMACHINES Filed Aug. 11, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 R INVENTOR JOHN ZUEROHERATTORNEY Oct. 23, 1956 J. ZUER PIN DISTRIBUTING AND S CHER 2,767,984

POTTING MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINES Filed Aug. 11 1950 7Sheets-Sheet 7 FIG. 10

lNVENTOR JOHN ZUERCH ER BY W4 ATTORNEY United States Patent PINDISTRIBUTING AND SPOTTING MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINESJohn Zuercher, Bulfalo, N. Y., assignor to American Machine & FoundryCompany, a corporation of New Jersey This invention relates to bowlingpin spotting machines, and more particularly to improvements inmechanism for effecting controlled, automatic and rapid delivery of asuccession or predetermined number of bowling pins to the pin spottingdevice of a bowling pin spotting machine.

In a bowling pin spotting machine embodying the invention, bowling pinsare removed from the pit of a bowling alley and delivered one by one tothe novel pin distributing device which in turn delivers them one by,one into spotter units mounted in a prearranged pattern on a pinspotting and respotting table. The novel pin dis- 'tributing mechanismwhich includes a swivel support at one end, is formed with twotelescoping U-shaped members such that when the distributor is moved orswung laterally across the machine 'and upwardly and downwardly, thetelescoping chute members are extended or retracted as desired accordingto the particular pin spota pin, the next pin advanced by a conveyorbelt lying in the bottom of the channel formed by the telescoping chutemembers, will cause an indexing operation and the distributor will moveautomatically to a delivery position adjacent the next empty spotterunit selected to receive a pin. The mounting of the chute members andthe endless conveyor belt is such that the endless conveyor belt isautomatically taken up or let out in accordance with the outward orinward movement of the chute members.

The mechanism described above solves many problems which arise in theexpeditious handling and distribution of bowling pins in a bowling pinspotting machine. It makes possible rapid and controlled movement ofpins from the pit of a bowling alley and their distribution in a pinspotter. The mechanism is simple in construction and positive in action.Its use also speeds up the game because of the manner in which iteffects the continuous delivery of pins to the spotter units on thespotting and respotting table, not only when the table is stationary,but also during movement of the table from and to an alley bed. Alsowhenever the several spotter units. on the table contain pins, althoughthe endless conveyor belt of the distributor continues to operate,control mechanism is provided which interrupts further movement of thedistributor, and prevents the delivery of pins thereto, until the pinsinthe spotter units have been placed upon the alley bed, and the emptyspotter units have been readied for receiving pins.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel bowling pindistributing mechanism in which bowling pins are delivered one by one topin spotter units by an elongated distributor mounted at one end forlateral swinging movement, and having pins engaging andconveying memberswhich can be moved in and out, like the parts of a slide trombone, inorder to locate the discharge end of the distributor at predeterminedpositions adjacent the spotting units, and effect the controlleddelivery of bowling pins into empty pin spotting units.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved bowling pindistributing device having one end swivelly attached to a suitablesupport and a device for effecting lateral and longitudinal movement ofits pin discharge end to effect the proper delivery of pins to empty pinspotting units on a pin spotter.

it is also an object of the invention to provide an improved pin'spotting machine having novel pin distributing mechanism in which thedistributing mechanism has two interconnected members which can beadvanced and retracted concurrently with the lateral movement of thedistributor mechanism in order to eifect the delivery of a plurality ofpins by one to a pin spotter.

The invention is also characterized by a device for feeding pins one byone to a pin spotter, and mechanism coacting therewith for stopping thefeed of pins to or from the device until there is a need for additionalpins in the spotter.

The invention also consists of a pin spotting table movable to and froma bowling alley which supports a track having means coacting with thepin delivery end of a pin distributor mounted for lateral, longitudinaland vertical movements in order that bowling pins may be delivered intospotting units carried by the table not only when the table isstationary, but also when it is moving'vertically to and from theplaying bed of a bowling alley.

It is a further objectof the invention to provide an elongateddistributor which is swivelly mounted at one end having a conveyor fordelivering pins in succession to pin spotting units, and controlleddriving means for swinging the free end of the distributor into positionto deliver pins to empty spotter units,

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, theinvention consists in certain combinations and constructions which willbe fully described hereinafter, and then set forth in the claimshereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification,and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or likepartsz' Figure 1 is a side elevation of a preferred form of pindistributor embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same;

Figure 3 is a sectional end elevation of the delivery end of the pindistributor, taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional side elevation of the pin distributor indexingmechanism, taken on line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional end elevation of the delivery chute, taken online 55 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an isometric view illustrating the indexing device operatingmechanism;

Figure 7 is an end elevation of the pin distributor as seen from line 77of Fi ure 1:

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the pin distributor in conjunction withan automatic bowling pin setting machine illustrating generally themanner in which pins are .del-iveredby the distributor to the bowlingpin setting table;

Figure 9 is a partial plan view of the pin distributor in conjunctionwith the pin setter table of an automatic bowling machine, illustratingthe cam track which controlsthe path of travel of the distributor duringdelivery of pins to the pin spotting units on the table; and

Fig-ure 10 is a partial rear view of the bowling pin elevatorillustrating the pin clamping and release mechanism of the same and thecontrol therefor.

With reference to the drawings, the pindistributor D, which is quicklydetachably mounted for removal as for repairs or replacement, consistsof a pair of U-shaped pin guide chutes 12 and 14 (Figures 1, 2, 3 andslidably arranged in a telescopic fashion to provide a guide chute whichis automatically extended or retracted depending upon which of thetriangularly arranged pockets 300 of the pin setter table is receiving apin from distributor D.

Guide chute 12 at one end is secured to a pair of spaced brackets 16,each of which (see Figure 7) is provided with an extending hub 18,rotatably supported by a suitable bearing 20 of a frame bracket 22. Thelatter, as illustrated in Figure 7, is of a substantially U-sh-apeddesign. Each of its two vertical arms 24 is provided with a bearing 20.Centrally between the two upright arms 24, but extending downwardly fromits lower portion, is provided a stud 26, preferably formed integrallytherewith, which is rotatably supported in a vertical bearing 28, theupper face of which also supports frame bracket 22. Bearing 28 issecured to a horizontal cross member 30 of the machine frame.

The other end of chute or guide channel 12 is secured to the upperportion of a U-shaped member 32 (Figures V 1, 2 and 5), the lowerportion of the latter being provided with a pair of hubs 34 each ofwhich supports one end of a rod 36, the other end of each rod 36 beingrigidly connected to a lug 38 forming an integral part of its repsectivebracket 16. Pivotally mounted on the inner side of each upright arm ofU-shaped member 32 is a roller 40. Each roller 40 contacts and isadapted to roll upon the top edge of a horizontal rod 42. of which thereare two, one at each side of chute 12. One end of each rod 42 is rigidlysecured to a vertical bracket 44; the other end of each rod 42 isprovided with a ing 46 (Figures 2 and 3) pivotally connected tohorizontal shaft 48. Rods 41. are also connected to each other by meansof a pair of tie rods 50, employed for the purpose of maintaining rods42 parallel to each other and also to provide a support for pin guidechannel 14, which is secured thereto. The inner side of each bracket 44is provided with a roller 52 adapted to rest upon and roll along the topedge of one of the rods 36. This arrangement provides a support for therear end of rods 42 and pin guide chute 14. For the purpose of properguidance, each bracket 44 is also equipped with a guide roller 54 (Figs.1, 2 and 5), each of which engages the side edge of its respective rod36.

The front or pin delivery end of distributor D which includes the frontend of chute 14, is provided with mechanism supporting it for lateralmovement across the machine and also longitudinal movement along apredetermined path of travel as the free end of distributor D is movedfrom one spotting unit 300 to the next unit 300 until all are filledwith pins. It is also provided with mechanism, described hereinafter,which is operated at the proper time during the discharge of pins fromchute 14 to effect the desired movement of distributor D in deliveringpins to each spotting unit 300.

In the illustrated embodiment, the front end of distributor D issupported and guided by means of a driving member, such as a bevelleddisc 56, and a guide roller 58,

mounted on pin setter table T, as described hereinafter. Bevelled disc56 which engages and runs on the outer face of track 60, is keyed to avertical stud 62, see Fig. 3, rotatably supported by hub 64 ofdistributor front bearboth of which engage with a horizontal track 60suitably ing member 66. Stud 62 in the illustrated embodiment forms anintegral part of a gear 68 which meshes with gear 70 loosely mounted ona stud 72 secured to bearing member 66. Integral with gear 70 (Fig. 3)is bevel gear 74 which meshes with a bevel gear 76 loosely mounted onhorizontal shaft 48 supported in suitable bearing lugs of member 66.Guide roller 58, mentioned above, is rotatably mounted on vertical stud78 (Figs. 1, 4 and 6) held by lug 80 projecting from and forming a partof swivel member 82. The latter is rotatably supported by hub 64 ofbearing member 66, and retainer ring 84. Swivel member 82 is alsoprovided with a lug 86 (Figs. 4 and 6), which carries pin 88 to which ispivoted a hinge member 90. The latter is provided with a circularcut-out or opening 92 through which extends the hub of bevelled disc 56.The free end of hinge member is provided with an extension which carriesa pin 94 to which is pivoted the lower portion of a link member 96. Theupper portion of the latter is provided with a slot 98 which slidablyengages with the inner edges of a circular hole or cut-out 100 of ahinge plate 102. The circular hole 100 of plate 102 is concentric withstud 62 and hub 64 so that link member 96 always remains in engagementwith plate 102 when swivel member 82, to which hinge member 90 ispivoted, rotates about hub 64 of bearing member 66.

Hinge plate 102 at one end is pivoted to stud 104 held by a suitablyshaped flange 107 forming an integral part of and projecting frombearing member 66. The free end of binge plate 102 is pivotally attachedto U-shaped link 106 connected to arm 108 attached to shaft 110. Thisshaft is supported by suitable longitudinally spaced bearing lugs 112and 114, which are secured to one of the lugs 46 and one of the brackets44, respectively. On shaft is adjustably mounted a lug 116 to which isclamped one end of rod 118 on the upper free end of which is supported apin engaged trip member. In the illustrated embodiment this memberconsists of a rotatable disc 120, which projects into pin guide chute 12where it is engaged by each bowling pin passing through chutes 12 and 14for delivery to spotting units 300. Opposite trip member 120 at theother side of chute 12 there is provided a coacting guide member, suchas guide roller or disc 122 which extends into chute 12. Disc 122 isrotatably mounted upon the upper end of a rod 124 secured to a lug 126adjustably mounted on rod 128 rigidly held in a pair of lugs 130 and 132secured to the other of the lugs 46 and the other of the brackets 44,respectively.

Gear 76 is loosely mounted on shaft 48 (Fig. 3) and provides drivingmeans for driving member or bevelled disc 56 as mentioned above. Gear 76is provided with an annular flange 134 which, during driving operation,is in frictional engagement with a clutch disc 136, which by means ofspring 138 encircling the hub of clutch disc 136, is connected to flange140 adjustably secured to the end of shaft 48. The bore of the hub ofclutch disc 136 is threaded and freely engages with a threaded portion144 of shaft 48. Shaft 48 preferably is driven by pulley 142 mountedthereon. Pulley 142 is driven continuously by means of pin conveyor belt146 from pulley 148 mounted on shaft 150 supported in suitable bearingsin frame bracket 22. On shaft 150 is mounted sprocket 152, which througha chain 154, is driven by sprocket 156 on continuously driven shaft 158protruding from housing 160 of gear reduction motor 162. The latter issupported by a suitable motor bracket 164 rigidly attached to rods 36.Belt 146 which provides the means for conveying a succession of bowlingpins through chutes 12 and 14 of distributor D, is led from pulley 148to pulley 142 over the bottom of the U-shaped channel formed by guidechutes 12 and 14, and is guided over tension roller 166, and guideroller 168 (Fig. 1).

Tension roller 166 is freely mounted and floatingly supported on stud170 and a pair of tension springs 1'72 attached to the ends of stud 170and to pins 174 in brackets 44. Guide roller 168 is freely mounted onstud 176 supported by U-shaped member 32.

Pin distributor D is designed for the purpose of conveying bowling pinsdelivered thereto from a suitable pin elevating mechanism, such as a pinelevator 19 to the pinspotting units or receptacles 300 carried by a pinspotter table, designated generally T (Figs. 8 and 9). Pin elevator 19,illustrated in Fig. 8 may be similar in design and construction to thatshown and described in co-pending application Serial No. 150;

232,..filed March 17, 1950 for-BowlinggzPim Elevating Mechanism by R. L.Holloway and, John. Zuercher. Since the pin elevatingmechanism .doesnotform a specific part of the. invention, onlyso much is shown anddescribed as will enable theoperations involved in eflectingthe deliveryof pins to distributor-D to be understood. Further showingzisomittedinthe interests; of brevity. The mechanism which supports bevel disc 56in operative driving relationship with track 60 insures thatat all timesduring the movementof table T to and from alley bed A, stud 62 will bemaintained substantially at right angles to the plane of track 60.Thisarrangement makes possible the securing of an importantand novelresult, i. e. it makes possible the delivery of bowling pins in propermanner and order into empty spotter units 300, not only when table Tisstationary, butalso when-it is moving to and from alley bed A. In thisway, a great saving :in time results'in the operating cycle of themachine.

During pin delivery'operation, bowling pins are. elevatedby andreleased-from suitable pockets 180 of the pin elevator 19 as eachpinloaded pocket 180 passes the :receiving end of distributor D.'Eachreleased pin drops intoreceiving chute 182 which extends partlyinto elevaxtor 19 and is guided onto pin conveyor belt 146 which .runsupon the bottom of the U-shaped pin guide channel :formed by chutes 12and 14, as stated above, Since it is essential that all pins deliveredto'pinspotting units 300 of table T be deposited on conveyor belt 1146butt end first, each side of receiving chute 182-is provided with anupright pin guide member 184. If apin isreleased from a pocket 180 andmoves with its handle end towardsconveyor belt 146, the handle endthereof engages with and rests against one of the guide members 184.L'Substantially simultaneously therewith the belly portion of the pinrolls onto belt 146 and is advanced. thereby. This movement of the bellyportion of the pin, while the handle portionrests against a guide member184, causes the pin to be turned or orientedfor butt endforemostdelivery to a pin spotting unit 300. Due to the position each pinoccupies in a pocket 180 of pin elevating member 19, all pins releasedtherefromare positioned with their longitudinal axes substantially atright angles to the longitudinal axis of-distributor D. Receiving chute182 issecured by means of brackets 186 to upright members 24 of framebracket 22. After a pin is oriented and positioned'butt end-foremost onconveyor belt'146, the latter carries it to the delivery end'ofdistributor D whence it is deposited butt first into one of the pinspotting units 300 of table T. In order to guide each pin properly fromdistributor D into the pin spotting units 300, at its delivery enddistributor D, is provided with an inclinedguide plate 188 suitablysecured to front bearing member 66. In addition to bottom guide plate188, there are provided two spaced side guide members 190, one at eachside of chute 14, each of which is attached in any sutiable manner tothe front end of one of the side walls of chute 14.

Since the pin spotter units 300 in table T are arranged in substantiallythe same pattern in which the pins are placed on the alley, such as theconventional triangular arrangement, horizontal cam track 60, which iscarried by the table and which guides the'distributor to and past allpin spotting units 300, is of generally heart-shaped design (Fig. 9).Track 60 is provided with a number of stop pins 192 corresponding to thenumber of pin spotter units 300 on table T. Each stop pin 192 projectsvertically from the top edge of cam track 60 andadjacent one of the pinspotter units 300. Stop pins 192 are provided for the purpose ofarresting the movementof distributor D at each pin spotter unit whiletravelling along cam track 60 in delivering a pin into eachpin. spotterunit 300 of table T. As illustrated, the lateral and concurrenttelescoping movement of distributor Dis anti-clockwise, as viewed inFigure 91 The. direction of movement'could, however, be in the oppositedirection. Cam

60 is; designed in such;a;way;thattthe distributor delivers pins to theten pin spotter units 3.00 in the following order: The first pin isdelivered to units #9, the second to unit #5, the third to unit #8, thefourth to unit #7, the fifth to unit #4, the sixth-to unit #2, theseventh to unit #1, the eighth to unit #3, the ninth to unit #6, and thetenth to unit #10. It will be noted that in serving each of the spotterunits, the front end of distributor D is extended and retracted in amanner similar to the movement of the parts of a slide trombone.

The intermittent movement of the distributor on track 60 from one unitto the next is accomplished in the following manner: As mentionedheretofore, the drive for the front end of the distributor on track 60is obtained through continuously driven pin conveyor belt 146 which,through pulley 142, continuously rotates shaft 48 having attachedthereto flange 140 which, through torque spring 138, drives clutch disc136. The latter, as mentioned heretofore, is in frictional engagementwith annular flange 134 of bevel gear 76 by virtue of threaded portion144 of shaft 48, as described hereinafter, which effects the driving ofbevel disc 56.- The latter, for better traction, is provided on itsbevelled surface with teeth or knurls 194 which engage with teeth orknurls 196 on track 60.

Without the stop pins 192 on track'60 adjacent each pinspotter unit 300,the front end of distributor D would bedriven continuouslyv around track60. However, in normal position, hinge member 90, which bridges track60, lies close to the top surface of the same and its notched out frontedge contacts each stop pin 192 in succession, causing the arrest ofvthe front end of the distributor D until the next pin advanced byconveyor belt 146-moves trip member 120 upwardly, and through theconnections described above, hinge memberis moved out of engagement witha stop 192, thus allowing bevel disc 56 to be driven-in order to effectthe movement of the discharge. end of distributor D to the next-emptyunit 300.

When the movement ofdistributor D is stopped, bevel disc 56 is alsostopped. However, since conveyor belt 146, shaft 48, and flange 140 aredriven continuously, by means of torque'spring 138 which is connected'toflange 140 and to clutch disc 136 threadably supported on threadedportion 144 of shaft 48, clutch flange 134 and clutch disc 136 remain infrictional engagement under a constant torque limited by the action ofspring 138 and the movement of disc 136 upon threaded portion 144 ofshaft 48. Therefore, although at this time rotation, of bevel gear 76 isstopped, the clutch mechanism is maintained ready at constant torque todrive bevel gear 76, and hence bevel disc 56 as soon as member 90 ismoved out of engagement with a stop 192. The front end of thedistributor remains motionless insofar as its movement along track 60 isconcerned, until a bowling pin, advanced by pin conveyor belt 146,passes between the guide disc 122 and trip member or disc 120, causingthe latter to swing or move outwardly thereby rocking rod 118, asillustrated in dotted position in Figure 5. This rocking movement of rod118 causes shaft to turn and move arm 108 upwardly, thereby lifting thefree, end of hinge plate 102, which is connected to arm 108 by, link 106(Figure 6). Since hingev plate 102 is connected to hinge member 90 bylink member 96, an upward motion of plate 102 will also cause an upwardmovement of hinge member 90 and effect a disengagement of the notchedportion of hinge member 90 from the stop 192 which presently arrests themovement of distributor D. With no obstruction restraining bevel disc56, clutch disc 136 fully re-engages with flange 134 of bevel gear 76,causing the front end of distributor D to be driven along track 60 untilre-arrested by the stop 192 adjacent the next empty pin spotter unit 300in table T, where the bowling. pin which eifected the release ofdistributor D from its arrested position against a stop pin 19.2, isdeposited in receptacle 330 of the pin spotter unit 300 in question.Thus,

7 one unit 300 after another is supplied with a pin until thereceptacles 330 of all ten units 300 are filled.

In order to prevent the delivery of more than ten p1ns by distributor Dafter all pin spotter units 300 of table T are filled, a counter C isprovided. See Figures 1, 2, 8 and 10. Counter C is enclosed in asuitable housing 198 held by a bridge bracket 200 secured to the topedges of pin guide chute 12. A trip finger 202, projecting from housing198, extends into the path of pins in chute 12 and, as each pin passesunderneath counter C, the belly portion of each pin contacts and tripsfinger 202.

As mentioned heretofore, bowling pins are elevated from pit P anddeposited in pin receiving chute 182 of the distributor by means of amechanism which may be similar in construction and operation to thatshown and described in copending application, Serial Number 150,- 232.Bowling pins are conveyed from pit P by continuously moving, endlessconveyor 204, onto a transverse guide plate 206 which guides them intothe several pockets 180 of conveyor 19 (Fig. 8). 7 Since theconstruction and operation of the operating means for each pocket areidentical, only one is described briefly below. After a pin is properlyseated in a pocket 180, it is clamped therein by the free end of a rod208 associated therewith. The bottom end of rod 208 is yieldinglysupported by a suitable sleeve lug 210 connected to a cam lever 212pivoted to a radial rib 214 of the conveyor drum. Cam lever 212 carriesa cam roller 216 which, when engaging with a stationary cam track 218,causes rod 208, through sleeve lug 210, a spring 220 and a collar 222,to move outward and effect a clamping action of the free end of rod 208upon the belly portion of a pin in a pocket 180. Any pin in a pocket 180will remain clamped therein by its respective rod 208 so long as itsrespective cam roller 216 rides on the top surface of the cam 218. Inorder to effect the release of a pin from a pocket when reaching aposition adjacent receiving trough 182 of distributor D, cam 218 isprovided with a gap 224 into which cam roller 216 drops, causing camlever 212, urged by a tension spring 226, to release the free end of rod208 from engagement with a pin in a pocket 180, and the pin rolls out ofits pocket 180 and into pin receiving trough 182 of distributor D.However, as mentioned heretofore, when ten pins have been forwarded tothe pinspotter units 300 of table T, it is essential that no additionalpins be delivered by the distributor to table T and mechanism isprovided for interrupting the flow of pins until such time when pins areagain needed in table T. A suitable mechanism may be that shown inFigure in which control means are provided such that in the operation ofthe machine any pins which still may be in pin elevator 19, are retainedtherein until the set of pins carried by pinspotter units 300 have beenspotted on alley bed A, and the empty units 300 are ready to receive anew set of pins.

In order to prevent pins carried in the pockets 180 of the elevator frombeing released for delivery into receiving trough 182, a bride plate 228is moved across the gap 224 in cam 218 thus preventing each cam lever212 and roller 216 from dropping into said gap thereby maintaining rods208 in engagement with pins in pockets 180 when passing the pinreceiving trough 182. These pins will be held in said pockets untilbridge plate 228 swings upwardly and again opens gap 224 in cam 218.

Bridge plate 228 is mounted on a short shaft 230 to which is secured anoperating lever 232 provided with a slot 234 which engages with a pin ofan extension 236 of the armature of solenoid 238 secured to bracket 240suitably mounted on cam 218.

Under normal operation, solenoid 238 is de-energized and bridge plate228 is closed except when it is desired to fill pin spotter units 300with pins. To achieve this object, the player presses a push button 242(Figure 10). This causes the energization of relay 244 closing contact246, which actuates solenoid 238. Armature 236 of solenoid 238 is causedto move downwardly which rocks oper- -8 ating lever 232, and causesbridge plate 228 to swing upwardly, thereby opening gap 224 in cam 218.This enables all cam levers 212 and rollers 216 to drop into gap 224 andeffect the release of rods 208 from pins held thereby in pockets 180, asmentioned above.

Due tothe continuous rotation of elevator 19, after dropping into gap224, levers 212 and rollers 216, ride underneath cam 218 until theyarrive again at an inclined apron 250 which guides them onto the top ofcam 218.

Since the pressing of push button 242 by a player would only provide atemporary energization of relay 244, the latter is provided with ahold-in contact 252 connected to trip switch 254 mounted in housing 198of counter C. The latter is provided with a ten tooth ratchet 256mounted on a shaft 258 to which is also secured one-tooth trip cam 260.Ratchet 256 is actuated by means of spring mounted pawl 262 pivoted toratchet lever 264 mounted on stud shaft 266 to which is also secured pinactuated trip finger 202. Each pin moving past trip finger 202, raisesit, thereby advancing ratchet 256 one tooth. A nose 268 on trip cam 260,which turns intermittently with said ratchet, is so arranged that itwill trip switch 254 when the tenth pin passes trip finger 202. Thetripping of normally closed switch 254 causes momentary opening of thesame, which breaks the circuit and causes relay 244 to drop out. Thedropping out of relay 244 results in the closing of gap 224 of cam 218by bridge plate 228, assuring that no pins will be released from pocketsof rotary pin elevator 19 into the distributor until button 242 ispressed again by a player.

As mentioned heretofore, the free end of distributor D while moving onthe heart-shaped track 60 to deliver pins to the ten pin spotter units300 of table T extends and retracts in a fashion similar to a trombone.The pin receiving end is pivoted about vertical stud 26 while the frontor delivery end moves upon and along track 60. Pin guide chute 14telescopes inwardly and outwardly beneath the chute 12, and its two rearsupporting brackets 44 are guided freely by means of rollers 52 and 54riding on the two parallel rods 36, the front ends of which are securedto U-shaped member 32, which by means of rollers 40 and 41, is slidablysupported on reciprocating rods 42 secured to the front end ofdistributor D. Since tension roller 166 is fioatingly mounted onbrackets 44, loop 147 formed in belt 146 by roller 166 is automaticallylengthened or shortened during the extension or retraction of thedistributor. In this manner, roller 166 provides constant tension inbelt 146 and compensates for belt stretch during the operation ofdistributor D as the pin conveying run of belt 146 between pulleys 142and 148 is lengthened and shortened as chute 14 is moved outwardly orinwardly relative to fixed chute 12. Due to the fact that springs 172are attached to brackets 44 which roll upon rods 36, the tension insprings 172 is maintained substantially constant.

In order to insure proper movement of the front end of distributor Dalong track 60, a counterbalancing device, designated generally 269, isprovided. This device is provided in order to balance out the system offorces of the operating mechanism of distributor D. It coacts with thebelt driving means including clutch 137 such that the driving force ofclutch 137 is substantially constant regardless of the direction ofmovement and position of chute 14 of distributor D as it moves alongtrack 60. By the use of this device, regardless of the position of thefront end of distributor D on track 60, it is always moved properlytherealong in delivering pins to the several spotter units 300. In theembodiment selected for purposes of illustration, counter balancingdevice 269 includes an adjustable torsion spring 270, Figures 2 and 7.The latter is supported in the lower portion of frame bracket 22. Oneend of spring 270 is anchored to an adjustable key 272; its other end issecured to stud shaft 274 supported in a suitable bearing of bracket 22.Also secured to stud shaft 274 is a spiral pulley 276 to which isattached one endofa rope or cable 278, the other end of:which is securedto. lug 280 mounted on one of the brackets 44. The operation is suchthat during the extension of the front end of the distributor, thespring is wound up by cable 278v and thus counterbalances the extensionforces mentioned above.

Since the distributor is designed to deliver pins to the several pinspotter units 300, not only when table T is stationary, but also duringits movements, there is provided a parallelogram 282 which maintains thefree end of-the distributor, or that part which supports bevel disc ordriving member 56, in a horizontal position at all times although theU-shaped pin delivery channel comprising chutes 12 and 14 may at timesduring the operation of the machine be disposed in an inclined position.Parallelogram 282 includes a pair of rods 284 pivoted to a horizontal,stationary arm 286 which projects from and is mounted on bracket .22.The other pair of rods 288 is pivoted to a vertical member 290 whichforms an integral part of the distributor front bearing member 66. Bothpairs of rods 284 and 288 are pivotally interconnected at a bell cranklever 292. The receiving trough 182'being mounted on frame member 22always remains in horizontal position While the receiving end of theconveyor is horizontally pivoted by means of hubs 18 of brackets 16journalled in bearings 20 in bracket member 22. Table T is moved to andfrom alley bed A in order to spot pins held in spotter units 300, and asstated hereinabove, during the movement of table T and also when table Tis held stationary or in a dwell position above alley bed A, pins aredelivered into empty units 300 by distributor D. The mechanism foroperating table T, including means for moving it to and from alley bedA, may be similar in construction and operation to that shown anddescribed in co-pending application S. N. 180,174, filed August 18,1950, by R. L. Holloway, T. J. Bohm, J. Zuercher and L. Strauss. Sincethis structure does not form a specific part of the present invention,there is described herein only so much of a table actuating mechanism asis deemed necessary to an understanding of its coaction with distributorD.

Table T is supported above alley bed A, as shown in Figure 8, by a frameincluding spaced side frames 350 attached to kickbacks K andlongitudinal frame members 354 secured thereto. Side frames 350 areconnected together by cross members 356, 357. Attached to members 354are cross strips 358 on which is mounted a motor 369 which is operatedby suitable means (not shown) to move table T to and from alley bed A.Motor 360 is provided with a conventional gear reduction mechanismenclosed in housing 362 which drives shaft 364 through a suitable clutch(not shown) at a desired rate of speed. Attached to shaft 364 is anoperating arm 367. The free end of arm 367 is provided with a stud shaft368 to which is pivotally connected a link 374, the latter being connected at its other end to a cross shaft 324 journalled in bearings inframe members 312 of table T. By means of these operating connectionswhen motor 360 is operating and the clutch is thrown in, table T ismoved from position I to position 11 adjacent alley bed A and back toposition I.

Table T is so mounted and stabilized that it is maintained in asubstantially horizontal parallel relationship with alley bed A at alltimes. For this purpose, brackets 316 attached to the rear ends of tableframe members 312 are formed with an extension 338 to which arepivotally connected upper and lower radius rods 340, 342, respectively.Radius rods 340, 342, also are connected to supports 344 on frame crossmember 27. Connected to brackets 316 in any suitable manner arestabilizing arms 346, the latter also being pivotally connected tobrackets attached to cross frame member 27. Springs 347, each having oneend attached to an extension 338 and the other end secured to a bracket351 on support 344, balance the weight of table T andassist in insuringits' smooth movement to and from alley bed A. As shown in Figures 8 and9, rods 349, 342 and 346 are provided at their ends with adjustableconnections. This arrangement provides means for adjusting the positionof table T laterally, diagonally, and up and down, as desired, in orderto effect proper delivery of pins on alley bed A. In the operation ofdistributor D in association with the pin delivery mechanism shown inFigure 8, delivery of pins to receiving chute 182 from pin elevatingdevice 19 is such that all pins carried on belt 146 are substantiallyequally spaced. This insures against clogging and jamming, andaccordingly results in the greatly improved delivery of pins to units300. If for any reason a pin should be absent from a pocket of pinelevating device 19, the next pin delivered onto belt 146 will becarried thereon spaced twice the distance of the last pin conveyed bybelt 146. As soon as a new set of pins has been placed on alley bed A,the empty spotter units 300 are returned to pin receiving position readyfor delivery of pins thereto by distributor D. If push. button 242 isoperated, pins will begin moving from elevating mechanism 19 throughdistributor D into empty spotter units 300. The operation of distributorD then continues so long as a pin spotter unit 30f) remains empty.

The above described invention may be varied in construction Within thescope of the claims, for the particular device, selected to illustratethe invention, is but one of many possible concrete embodiments of thesame. It is not therefore to be restricted to the precise details ofthestructure shown and described.

I claim:

1. In a bowling pin spotting machine, a pin elevating device for raisingbowling pins from the pit of a bowling alley, a pin spotter, a pluralityof pin spotting units mounted in substantially triangular arrangement onsaid spotter, an extensible distributor for receiving pins from saiddevice and delivering said pins one by one to said spotter, means for'moving said distributor transversely of said machine and simultaneouslytherewith extending and retracting saiddistributor relative to each ofsaid substantially triangularly arranged units to effect the deliveryofabowling pin into each empty unit.

2. In a bowling pin spotting machine, a pin elevating device for raisingpins from the pit of a bowling alley, a pin spotter, a plurality ofsubstantially triangularly arrangedpin spotter units carried by saidspotter, a distributor extendingbetween said device and said spotter,mechanism for moving said spotter to and from the playing bed of analley to spot and re-spot pins thereon, means connecting saiddistributor to said spotter for movement therewith, and means operativesimultaneously with the movement of said spotter for moving saiddistributor also in a path substantially at right angles to the path oftravel of said spotter to deliver pins to said units.

3. In a bowling pin spotting machine, pin elevating mechanism forraising bowling pins from the pit of a bowling alley, a pin orientingdevice, a pin spotter, a plurality of pin spotting units mounted on saidspotter, a distributor having a pin receiving portion located adjacentsaid device for receiving pins butt end forward from said mechanism anda discharge portion remote from said pin receiving portion fordelivering pins one by one to said units, and means for moving saiddistributor from one unit to another in a closed and generallytriangular path of travel to effect the delivery of a single pin intoeach of said units.

4. In a bowling pin spotting machine, a pin elevating mechanism forraising bowling pins from the pit of a bowling alley, a pin orientingdevice, a frame, a plurality of pin holding units mounted on said frame,a distributor positioned above said frame having a pin receiving portionlocated adjacent said device for receiving pins butt end forward fromsaid device and a discharge portion remote from said pin receivingportion for delivering.

pins one by one to said units, means for moving said distributor acrosssaid machine from one unit to another to effect the delivery of a singlepin from a succession of axially aligned pins into each of said units, adevice adjacent each of said units for holding said distributor inposition to deliver a pin into each empty unit, and means operative inresponse to the movement of a pin passing through said distributor foractuating said device to release said distributor for movement from afilled unit to an empty unit.

5. In a bowling pin spotting machine, a pin elevating device for raisingpins from the pit of a bowling alley, a frame, a plurality ofsubstantially triangularly arranged pin holding units carried by saidframe, an endless distributing conveyor extending between said deviceand said frame, means for delivering pins from said device onto saidconveyor for movement thereby in axial alignment, and means for movingsaid distributor in a generally horizontal plane above said frame fromunit to unit to deliver pins one by one into empty pin holding units.

6. In a bowling pin spotting machine, pin elevating mechanism forraising pins from the pit of a bowling alley, a pin spotter, a pluralityof substantially triangularly arranged pin spotter units carried by saidspotter, an endless distributing conveyor located above said spotter, apin orienting device for delivering pins discharged from said mechanismbutt end forward onto said distributing conveyor for movement by saidconveyor in axial alignment and delivery to said units, and means formoving said distributing conveyor transversely across the top of saidspotter from spotter unit to spotter unit to deliver said pins one byone butt end foremost into empty spotter units.

7. In a bowling pin spotting machine, a pin conveyor, a pin spotter, aplurality of pin spotting units mounted on said spotter and arrangedsubstantially in pin playing position thereon, a distributor, saiddistributor including an elongated distributing conveyor having a pinreceiving portion located adjacent said pin conveyor and a dischargeportion positioned adjacent said spotter, an extensible frame supportingsaid elongated distributing conveyor, a shaft mounting one end of saidframe adjacent said pin receiving portion of said distributing conveyor,and mechanism for moving said frame from unit to unit and simultaneouslytherewith to extend or retract said frame and distributing conveyor tolocate said discharge portion of said distributing conveyor adjacentempty spotting units on said spotter for discharge of pins thereinto.

8 In a bowling pin spotting machine, a pin conveyor, a pin spotter, aplurality of pin spotting units mounted on said spotter and arrangedsubstantially in pin playing position thereon, a distributor, saiddistributor including an elongated distributing conveyor having a pinreceiving portion located adjacent said pin conveyor and a dischargeportion positioned adjacent said spotter, an extensible frame supportingsaid elongated distributing conveyor, a shaft mounting one end of saidframe adjacent said pin receiving portion of said distributing conveyor,a track on said spotter, a distributor moving device carried by saidframe and engaging said track, and means operative in response to themovement of a pin to an empty unit for actuating said device to causesaid device to move along said track and extend or retract said frame,whereby to locate said discharge portion adjacent an empty spottingunit.

9. In a bowling pin spotting machine, a pin elevating device for raisingbowling pins from the pit of a bowling alley, a pin spotter, a pluralityof pin spotting units mounted on said spotter in an arrangementcorresponding to the playing arrangement of bowling pins on the playingbed of a bowling alley, a distributor conveyor having a pin receivingportion adapted to receive pins from said device and a discharge portionfor delivering pins to said units, means for moving said conveyor fromone unit to another in a closed path of travel to effect the delivery ofsingle pins to said units, and means for selectively extending andretracting said conveyor during its movement to locate said dischargeportion in position to deliver pins into each unit in said arrangement.

10. In a bowling pin spotting machine, a pin elevating device forraising pins from the pit of a bowling alley, a pin spotter, mechanismfor moving said spotter to and from the playing bed of a bowling alleyto spot and respot bowling pins thereon, a plurality of substantiallytriangularly arranged pin spotter units carried by said spotter, anelongated distributing conveyor extending between said device and saidspotter, a support mounting said distributing conveyor for conjointhorizontal and vertical movement, and means for moving said distributingconveyor transversely of said machine across the top of said spotter todeliver pins one by one into empty spotter units during the movement ofsaid spotter to and from said playing bed of said alley.

11. In a bowling pin spotting machine, a bowling pin distributingmechanism for delivering pins one by one to a frame provided with aplurality of spaced pin supporting units, means mounting said frame formovement to and from the playing bed of a bowling alley, said mechanismincluding a support, an elongated generally U-shaped channel, an endlessconveying belt having a pin conveying lap running along the bottom ofsaid channel, swivel means mounting said channel on said support forcombined lateral and vertical movement, means for driving said belt toconvey said pins to said units and means for moving said channellaterally and vertically during the delivery of said pins to said units.

12. In a bowling pin spotting machine, bowling pin conveying anddistributing mechanism, a frame, a plurality of substantiallytriangularly arranged pin spotting units mounted on said frame, saidmechanism comprising a support, a pin distributing channel pivota-llyattached at one end to said support, said channel including twotelescopically associated generally U-shaped guide chutes, a frontsupport member for said channel, a driving device mounted on said frontsupport, a guide track for said front support member on said frame,means for operating said driving device to move said front supportmember along said track and travel said channel back and forth relativeto said frame, the shape of said guide track being such as tosimultaneously therewith effect an extension and retraction of saidguide chutes, and means for moving said frame to and from a bowlingalley during the operation of said distributing mechanism.

13. The invention defined in claim 6 including a stop mounted adjacenteach of said units, a device on said distributing conveyor adapted toengage a stop adjacent an empty unit and arrest the transverse movementof said conveyor, and pin actuated means for releasing said device fromsaid stop for movement of said distributor into engagement with the stopadjacent an empty unit.

14. The invention defined in claim 13 including a counting mechanism, atrip in said mechanism, means mounting said trip for engagement by pinsmoved by said distributing conveyor to said units, and means operativein response to the delivery of a pin to each of said units forpreventing the feed of additional pins by said distributing conveyor.

15. In a bowling pin spotting machine, a pin conveyor, 3. pin handlingframe including a plurality of spaced pin holding units, an elongatedpin distributor adapted to receive pins from said conveyor and conveysaid pins one by one to said units, a vertical pivot for the end of saiddistributor adjacent said conveyor, a swivel block at the front end ofsaid distributor, a track on said frame, driven means on said blockengaging said track, driving means for operating said driven means, andmeans for operating said driving means to drive said driven means alongsaid track and swing said distributor about said vertical pivot fromunit to unit for delivery of saidpins by said distributor to said units.

16. Theinvention defined'in claim 15 wherein said track is provided withspaced teeth, andsaid driven means engaging. said track moves saiddistributor laterally and along said track, and means for holding saidfront end of said distributor in operative position on said track.

17. In a bowling pin spotting machine, a pin elevating device forraising bowling pins from thepit of a bowling alley, a pin handlingframe, a plurality of spaced pin holding units mounted on said frame, atrack having a portion adjacent each of said units mounted on saidframe, an extensible and laterally movable distributor having a pinreceiving portion for receiving pins from said device and a pindischarge portion delivering them to said units, a pivotal mount for oneend of said distributor, a device at the free end of said distributorconnecting said distributor for movement along said track from unit tounit in delivering pins to said units, and means for driving said deviceto move said distributor laterally and locate said pin discharge portionthereof adjacent each of said units.

18. The invention defined in claim 17 including stops mounted on saidtrack adjacent each unit, an element on said discharge portion of saiddistributor adapted to engage each of said stops as said distributor ismoved from unit to unit, and trip means operative in response to themovement of each pin to an empty unit for moving said element out ofengagement with the stop adjacent said unit to permit said distributorto move to an empty unit.

19. The invention defined in claim 18 wherein said trip means includes atrip arm extending into said distributor, a pivoted plate mounting saidelement engaging said stops, and connections between said trip arm andpivoted plate whereby a pin in said distributor moving past said armlifts said plate and releases said element from engagement with saidstop.

20. The invention defined in claim 19 including mechanism for movingsaid frame to and from said bowling alley, supports maintaining saidframe substantially parallel with said alley both when stationary andmoving, and means for maintaining said swivel block substantiallyparallel with said frame.

21. The invention defined in claim 20 wherein said last named meansincludes a parallelogram structure including parallel interconnectedarms and means connecting two of said parallel arms to said swivelblock.

22. The invention defined in claim 15 wherein said track is providedwith spaced teeth, and a shaft in said swivel block mounting said drivenmeans engaged in said track, saiddriven means'being provided with teethcoacting with said teeth on said track.

23. The invention defined in claim 22 including a device coacting withsaid driven means engaging said track for maintaining said driven meanscontinuously in engagement with said track.

24. The invention defined in claim 22 including a pair of spacedparallel rods, each rod having one end pivotally connected to saidswivel block, a second pair of parallel rods connected at one end tosaid machine, and a bell crank lever pivotally connected to the otherends of each of said rods of said pairs of rods, thereby forming aparallelogram structure maintaining said shaft of said driven membersubstantially at right angles to the plane of saidpin handling frame.

25. Bowling pin handling apparatus for a bowling pin spotting machinecomprising a frame, a pinreceiving and pin orienting device mounted onsaid frame, said device having downwardly and inwardly inclined pinreceiving and guiding sides, projecting abutment means on at least oneof said sides adapted to be engaged by the handle end of pins deliveredto said device, and an endless conveyor supported on said frame andhaving a pin supporting and conveying lap running between said sides toa point of discharge remote therefrom.

26. The invention defined in claim 25 including a movable generallyU-shaped chute having a bottom surface .over which said pinsupportingandconveying lap travels, and spaced upstanding guide sides,andmechanism for moving said chute inwardly and outwardly in thedirection of the path of travel of said lap of said con.- veyor,including means for simultaneously increasing and decreasing the activelength of said conveyor pin supporting and conveying lap in conformitywith the extended or retracted position of said movable chute.

27. The invention defined in claim 26 including a support mounting saidchute for conjoint lateral and vertical movement, and means operative inresponse to a pin being advanced by said conveyor for delivery from saidchute for effecting the movement of said chute from one pin receivingstation to another.

28. The mechanism defined in claim 9 including means for delivering pinsfrom said device. to said distributor conveyor, and means foroperatingsaid elevating device and said distributor conveyor at uniform speedshaving a predetermined relation to each othersuch that pins .deliveredto said distributor conveyor by said delivering means are substantiallyequally spaced therealong.

29. In a bowling pin spotting machine, pin elevating mechanism forraising bowling pins from the pit of a bowling alley, a pin orientingdevice, a frame, a plurality of pinholding units mounted on said frame,a distributor mounted above said frame having a pin receiving portionlocated adjacent said device for receiving pins butt end forward fromsaid device and a discharge portion remote from said pin receivingportion, said distributor having conveying means for moving pins inaxial alignment from said receiving portion to said discharge portionfordelivering pins one by one to said units, means for moving saiddistributor across said machine from one unit to another to effect thedelivery of a single pin into each of said units, and pin actuated meansassociated with said distributor for controlling themovement of saiddistributor in response to the movement of each of said pins by saidconveying means for discharge from said discharge portion into one ofsaid units.

30. in a bowling pin spot-ting machine, a pin elevating device forraising bowling pins from the pit of a bowling alley, a pin spotter, aplurality of pin spotting units in substantially triangular arrangementmounted on said spotter, an endless distributor conveyor having a pinreceiving portion adapted to receive pins from said device and adischarge portion for delivering pins to said units, and means formoving said discharge portion of said conveyor .transversely andlongitudinally relative to said spotter from one unit to another of saidsubstantially triangularly arranged units to effect the delivery ofsingle pins in succession into said units.

31. In a bowling pin spotting machine, a pin conveyor, a pin spotter, aplurality of pin spotting units mounted on said spotter and arrangedsubstantially in pin playing position thereon, a distributor, saiddistributor including an elongated distributing conveyor having a pinreceiving portion located adjacent said pin conveyor and a dischargeportion positioned above and adjacent said spotter, a frame supportingsaid elongated distributing conveyor, a shaft mounting one end of saidframe adjacent said pin receiving portion of said distributing conveyor,and means for moving said frame and positioning said discharge portionof said distributing conveyor successively adjacent empty spotting unitsonsaid spotter for discharge of pins thereinto.

32. In a bowling pin spotting machine, a pin supporting member havingspaced substantially triangularly arranged pin supporting units, abowling pindistributing mechanism for delivering bowling pins to saidunits, comprising a support, an elongated generally U-shaped channelpivotally mounted on said support, an endless pinconveying belt locatedin said channel and running along said channel, means for driving saidbelt to conveypins one after the other to said member, and means formoving said channel back and forth across said machine and locating thedischarge end of said pin-conveying belt ad- 15 jacent one unit afteranother to deliver a bowling pin to each of said spaced units.

33. The mechanism defined in claim 32 wherein said channel includes twointerconnected U-shaped chute guides, and means for automaticallyetfecting relative longitudinal movement between said guides to decreaseor increase the length of said U-shaped channel and said conveyor beltmoving therealong in accordance with the position of each of saidsubstantially triangularly arranged units to which a pin is delivered.

34. The invention defined in claim 32 wherein said channel moving meansincludes a guide element on said supporting member for one end of saidchannel, a displacing unit connecting said one end of said channel withsaid element, a stop adjacent each unit for interrupting the lateraltravel of said channel, and pin actuated means for releasing saidchannel for movement to an empty unit 35. The invention defined in claim32, wherein said U-shaped channel includes telescopically mounted U-shaped chute pin guides, supports mounting said guides for relativeextension and retraction, and wherein said means for moving said channelcomprises a guide track and driving and driven devices on the pindelivery end of said channel engaging and running on said track.

36. In a bowling pin spotting machine, a pin elevating device forraising bowling pins from the pit of a bowling alley, a pin handlingframe, a plurality of spaced pin holding units mounted on said frame, atrack having a portion adjacent each of said units mounted on saidframe, an extensible :and laterally movable distributor having a pinreceiving portion for receiving pins from said device and a pindischarge portion delivering them to said units, a pivotal mount for oneend of said distributor, a device at the free end of said distributorconnecting said distributor for movement along said track from unit tounit in delivering pins to said units, means for driving said device tomove said distributor laterally and locate said pin discharge portionthereof adjacent each of said units, stops mounted on said trackadjacent each of said units, an element on said discharge portion ofsaid distributor adapted to engage each of said stops as saiddistributor is moved from unit to unit, trip means operative in responseto the movement of each pin to an empty unit for moving said element outof engagement with the stop adjacent said unit to permit saiddistributor to move to an empty unit, 'and actuating means operative inresponse to the release of said element from a-st-op adjacent a pinfilled unit for actuating said means for driving said device to movesaid discharge portion of said distributor to an empty unit and positionsaid element against a stop adjacent said empty unit, the engagement ofsaid element with said stop being operative to incapacitate saidactuating means.

37. In a bowling pin spotting machine, a pin supporting member havingspaced substantially triangularly arranged pin supporting units, abowling pin distributing mechanism for delivering bowling pins to saidunits, comprising a support, an elongated generally U-shaped channelpivotal-1y mounted on said support, said channel comprisingtelescopically mounted generally U-shaped pin guides, supports mountingone of said guides for extension and retraction relative to the other ofsaid guides, pin conveying means located in said channel, mechanism fordriving said pin conveying means to convey pins one after the other,means for moving said channel back and forth across said machine andlocating the discharge end thereof adjacent one unit after another todeliver a bowling pin to each of said spaced units, said lastnamed meansincluding :a guide track constraining the pin discharge end of saidchannel to travel along a closed irregular path, a driven memberengaging said track, a continuously driven drive shaft, gearingconnecting said drive shaft to said driven member, a constant torqueclutch associated with said shaft for driving said gearing and member tomove said channel, means for stopping the movement of said driven memberprior to the delivery of a pin into one of said units, and pin actuatedmeans for restarting the operation of said member to travel saiddischarge end of said channel along said track to an empty unit.

38. Pin handling apparatus for a bowling pin spotting machine comprising:a frame, a pin receiving and orienting member, means delivering pins tosaid member, a pin guide mounted on said frame and adapted to receivepins from said member, a second pin guide having a pin discharge portionmounted on said frame, a carriage mounting said second pin guide fortelescopic movement relative to said first-named pin guide, and meansfor moving said frame laterally and for imparting reciprocatory movementto said carriage to locate said discharge portion of said second pinguide adjacent a plurality of pin receiving stations.

39. The apparatus defined in claim 38 wherein said frame includes a pairof spaced substantially parallel elongated rods, rollers on saidcarriage running on said pair of rods, a second pair of spacedsubstantially parallel rods mounted in said carriage and projectingoutwardly therefrom, and means attaching said discharge portion of saidsecond pin guide to said projecting ends of said second pair of rods.

40. The apparatus defined in claim 39 including a bracket supportingsaid first-named pin guide and a pulley, a pulley floatingly mounted onsaid carriage, a bracket attached to the projecting ends of said secondpair of rods, a pulley mounted on said bracket, a bracket connecting theends of said first-named pair of rods, a pulley supported on saidlast-named bracket, and an endless belt running upon said pulleys andhaving a lap running upon said pin guides, said fioatingly mountedpulley acting to provide constant tension and compensate for stretch insaid endless belt.

41. In a bowling pin spotting machine, pin elevating mechanism forraising bowling pins from the pit of a bowling alley, a pin orientingdevice positioned to receive pins from said elevating mechanism, a framemounted above said alley :at a position substantially displacedlongitudinally of the alley from said orienting device, a plurality ofpin holding units mounted on said frame, a pin distributor includingpositively driven pin advancing means mounted for swinging movement fromside to side of said alley, said distributor having its pin receivingend disposed adjacent the outlet end of said pin orienting device andits discharge end in pin discharging relation to said units, and meansfor moving said distributor to travel the discharge end thereof from oneunit to another to effect the delivery of a single pin advanced by saidpin advancing means into each of said units.

42. In a bowling pin spotting machine, a pin conveyor, a pin spotter, aplurality of pin spotting units mounted on said spotter and arrangedsubstantially in pin playing position thereon, an elongated distributor,said distributor having a pin receiving portion located adjacent saidpin conveyor and a discharge portion for discharging pins for deliveryto said spotter, a frame supporting said distributor, a movable mountfor said frame, mechanism for moving said mount to .travel saiddistributor transversely relative to the path of travel of pins in saiddistributor and in a generally horizontal plane to a plurality of pointsof discharge of pins to be delivered to said units, said mechanismincluding means for locating said discharge portion of said distributorin position to deliver bowling pins seriatim at each of said points ofdischarge, said mechanism and said last-named means including a track onsaid spotter, a driven member on said frame engaging said track, drivingmeans for said driven member, a pin actuated trip, and means operativein response to the actuation of said trip in response to the engagementof; a pin therewith to connect said driving means and said driven memberfor selectively driving said driven member along said track to locatesaid discharged por- 'tion at said points of discharge.

43. In a bowling pin spotting machine, mechanism for elevating pins fromthe pit of a bowling alley to a pin delivery station, a frame mountedabove said alley at a position substantially displaced longitudinally ofthe alley from said pin delivery station, a plurality of pin supports onsaid frame, an elongated pin distributor including positively driven pinadvancing means, means mounting said distributor for swinging movementfrom one side to the other side of said alley, said distributor havingits pin receiving end disposed adjacent said pin delivery station andits pin discharge end in pin discharging relation to said supports,means for moving said distributor to locate the discharge end thereof atspaced discharge stations for effecting the discharge of pins advancedby said advancing means at said stations for delivery to each of saidsupports.

44. In a bowling pin spotting machine, mechanism for removing pins fromthe pit of a bowling alley to a pin delivery station, a plurality ofspaced discharge stations above said alley and at a positionsubstantially displaced longitudinally of the alley from said pindelivery station, an elongated pin distributor having a pin receivingend adjacent said delivery station and a pin discharge end in pindischarging relation to said discharge stations, said distributorincluding pin advancing means, and means for driving said pin advancingmeans, means mounting said distributor for movement from side to side ofsaid alley, and means for moving said distributor to locate thedischarge end thereof at one discharge station after another andeffecting the delivery of pins in succession by said advancing meansfrom said distributor.

45. Pin handling and distributing mechanism for a bowling pin spottingmachine comprising a distributing conveyor, 21 pin elevating device forremoving pins from a bowling alley and delivering them to a deliverystation, a member at said station having downwardly and inwardlyinclined portions for receiving pins delivered from said elevatingdevice and for directing pins received thereby to said conveyor, pinorienting guide means on at least one of said downwardly and inwardlyinclined portions of said member, said guide means forming an abutmentagainst which the handle end of a pin delivered to said member by saiddevice may engage while the butt end thereof moves downwardly onto saidconveyor, and means for driving said conveyor to move said pin butt endforwardly to a point of discharge.

46. In a bowling pin spotting machine, mechanism for conveying bowlingpins from the pit of a bowling alley to a pin delivery station, a pinreceiving device having a plurality of spaced pin discharge stations,means mounting said device at a position substantially displacedlongitudinally of the alley from said pin delivery station, an elongatedpin distributor having a pin receiving end adjacent said pin deliverystation and a pin discharge end in pin discharging relation to saidspaced pin discharge stations, said distributor including pin advancingmeans, and means for driving said pin advancing means, means mountingsaid distributor for movement from side to side of said alley, means formoving said distributor to travel the discharge end thereof from onedischarge station to another and effecting the discharge of a pin fromsaid distributor by said advancing means at each of said dischargestations, said means for moving said distributor including pin actuatedtrip means, and mechanism operative in response to the engagement withsaid trip means of a pin advanced by said advancing means for dischargefrom said discharge end of said distributor to cause the discharge endof said distributor to be moved to an adjacent discharge station.

47. A bowling pin handling apparatus comprising an elongated frame, apin receiving and orienting device at one end of said frame adapted toalign pins for delivery therefrom butt end forward, an endless conveyormounted on said frame for receiving and conveying a succession ofaxially aligned pins butt end forward from said device to a dischargeportion of said conveyor, means mounting said frame for lateral movementof said conveyor to and from a point of discharge at spaced pin discharge stations, means for driving said conveyor, and means responsiveto the movement of a pin by said conveyor for effecting the movement ofsaid frame from one station to another, said device including a memberof generally U-shaped outline having arms extending downwardly towardssaid conveyor, and an orienting guide on at least one of said armsforming an abutment against which a pin may move while the butt endthereof drops onto said conveyor for butt end forward travel of said pinonsaid conveyor to said discharge portion.

48. A bowling pin handling apparatus for use in a bowling pin spottingmachine comprising an elongated frame, a pin receiving and orientingdevice at one end of said frame adapted to align pins for deliverytherefrom butt end forward, an endless conveyor mounted on said framefor receiving and conveying a succession of axially aligned pins buttend forward from said device, means mounting said frame for movement ofsaid conveyor to and from a point of discharge at spaced dischargestations, means for driving said conveyor, means responsive to themovement of a pin by said conveyor for effecting the movement of saidframe from one discharge station to another, said frame including afixed generally U- shaped pin guide chute and a generally Ushapedmovable chute along which a portion of said conveyor runs, means on saidframe mounting said movable chute for telescopic coaction relative tosaid fixed chute, and means for extending and retracting said movablechute relative to said fixed chute to locate the open end of saidmovable chute adjacent said discharge stations for discharge of pins bysaid conveyor from said open end of said movable chute.

49. A bowling pin handling apparatus comprising an elongated frame, apin receiving and orienting device at one end of said frame adapted toalign pins for delivery therefrom butt end forward, an endless conveyormounted on said frame for receiving and conveying a succession ofaxially aligned pins butt end forward from said device, means mountingsaid frame for lateral movement of said conveyor to and from a point ofdischarge at spaced pin discharge stations, means for driving saidconveyor, and means responsive to the movement of a pin by said conveyorfor effecting the movement of said frame from one station to another,said apparatus including a generally U-shaped pin guide chute and agenerally U-shaped movable chute along which a portion of said conveyorruns, means on said frame mounting said movable chute, and means forextending and retracting said movable chute relative to said U-shapedpin guide chute to locate the open end of said movable chute adjacent aplurality of pin discharge stations for discharge of pins by saidconveyor from said open end of said movable chute, said means foreffecting the movement of said frame comprising a clutch, driving meansand driven means adapted to be coupled by said clutch and resilientmeans coacting with said clutch to maintain the driving force of saidclutch substantially constant regardless of the direction of movementand position of said U-shaped movable chute.

50. Bowling pin handling and orienting apparatus for a bowling pinspotting machine comprising a frame, a pin receiving and orientingdevice mounted on said frame, said device having downwardly and inwardlyinclined pin receiving and guiding sides, endless conveying means havinga pin receiving portion mounted adjacent the bottom of said downwardlyinclined sides of said device to receive and convey pins to a point ofdischarge remote therefrom, means for driving said conveying means, andmeans on said device positioned for engagement by the handle end of apin delivered to said device for preventing substantial further forwardmovement of said handle end of a pin on said device while the butt endof said pin moves downwardly onto said conveying means for orientingsuch pin for butt end delivery by said device onto said conveying means.

803,720 Shunk Nov. 7, 1905 10 20 McFarland Nov. 15, McFarland Oct. 31,Barrett Mar. 30, White May 7, Ruppenthal July 18, Fretter Aug. 15,MacFarland May 1,

